Trackhouse Aprilia boss Davide Brivio says it is time for his team to step up from grooming rookies and sign an experienced MotoGP rider for 2027.
His comments at the Spanish Grand Prix follow the news that Ai Ogura will leave the satellite team for the factory Yamaha squad next season, as exclusively revealed by Motosport.com earlier this month.
With the Aprilia an increasingly sought-after bike given its recent string of victories, Brivio clearly recognises that the time is ripe for Trackhouse to aim higher despite its status as an independent.
“To be honest, the Aprilia is quite appealing now, it’s competitive,” Brivio told the international MotoGP broadcast on Friday, admitting that the unexpected Trackhouse vacancy had not gone unnoticed in the paddock. “And of course, we are getting [some] interest, managers calling…”
Trackhouse nurtured Ogura through his rookie season last year and began to get the best out of team-mate Raul Fernandez just when his MotoGP career looked to be on the ropes a year ago. But Brivio was clear that he would have to set his soft spot for developing young talent to one side as the team looks to go to the next level.
“I always like to work with [a] rookie and to see the rookie growing up. That’s always quite exciting. [But] I feel that at the moment, where Trackhouse is now, with this bike, which is competitive… it’s a time to try to get an experienced rider ready to go for the podium. And hopefully maybe try to win races or whatever. Because it looks like the bike can allow this to happen. So it’s time to use this potential.”
Brivio with this year’s pairing of Ogura (left) and Fernandez (right)
Photo by: Trackhouse Racing Team
Whether this year’s form will be relevant next season is questionable given the rule changes coming for 2027, as well as the championship’s switch from Michelin to Pirelli rubber. But current form is all an out-of-contract rider has to go on at this stage – and Brivio knows it. He is, however, convinced that Aprilia will once again produce a strong package.
“Of course, all the bikes are different in 2027. We don’t know. We will be reset and everything, but we have confidence in the job that Aprilia is doing and is going to do. So we think having an experienced rider capable of going fast and fighting, let’s say, for the podium or top five or whatever, we should use this potential.”
While most of the biggest MotoGP names are already committed elsewhere for next year, there are some experienced riders with uncertain futures. Those who could fit the bill include Enea Bastianini, currently at Tech 3 KTM, or the current factory Honda pair of Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Also possible but perhaps less likely, given their current form, are Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller, KTM’s Brad Binder, VR46 Ducati rider Franco Morbidelli and the man making way for Ogura at Yamaha, Alex Rins.
With Fernandez not yet confirmed to remain in 2027, it may even be that Trackhouse has two seats open next season. But Brivio made the 2025 Australian Grand Prix winner’s chances of remaining sound reasonable – pointing out that his rookie status was now long behind him.
“Raul is an experienced rider,” the Italian added. “He’s fast, he can fight for the podium. So of course, this is a possibility. We didn’t confirm yet, we didn’t sit down and finalise everything. But for sure, that’s an option.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Team
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: motorsport.com
